(A) For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
FIRE LANE. A part of a public parking lot or private driveway or private road which is designated to provide access by fire trucks to any building or location.
(B) The owner, manager or agent of a retail, assembly, educational, institutional, multi-family, commercial, industrial or public building, new or existing having privately-owned public parking lots and drives devoted to public use, and on private property containing two or more dwellings to which access is provided by private roads or driveways, shall be responsible to insure that fire lanes are maintained and that there are no obstructions to the ingress and egress of fire department or other emergency vehicles and personnel for protection of persons and property. Fire lanes shall be located where necessary to provide for protection to all buildings and premises, including not only building and premises on the parcel of land where the fire lane is required, but also any buildings or premises on adjacent land required to be served by the fire lanes. The Fire Chief or Fire Marshal shall have five days from the receipt of the plans for a proposed subdivision or planned unit development to determine if the plans meet the provisions of this section. If adequate provision for such fire lanes is not made, the Fire Chief or Fire Marshal or his or her designee shall make recommendations to the Columbia City/Whitley County Planning and Building Department.
(C) Fire lanes shall be of an all-weather, hard surface concrete or asphalt of sufficient strength to support all fire-fighting apparatus presently used by the City Fire Department and shall be established in the driving lane closest to the building. Temporary parallel or perpendicular parking may be permitted next to the building curb provided a fire lane is established in the driving lane adjacent to the parking area. A fire lane must be at least 20 feet in width. Curves and corners of the fire lane shall be broad enough to permit passage by any fire equipment owned by the city.
(D) The fire lane shall be designated by signage which shall read, “Fire Lane No Parking” or “No Parking Fire Lane.” Said signs shall be no higher than seven feet off the ground and positioned at least every 100 feet along the curb or side of building wherein the lanes are established. A fire lane must be marked with the words “No Parking Fire Lane” in white letters, and a stripe of at least four inches in width, in conformance with the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The words and stripe must be placed 12 feet from the sidewalk, curb or building. The words “No Parking Fire Lane” must be positioned between the stripe and the sidewalk, curb or building. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to maintain compliance with this provision.
(E) The property owner shall remove all snow and ice from a fire lane forthwith as soon as snow and ice start to accumulate.
(F) For any development constructed or improved prior to the effective date of this section, the owner thereof may, at his or her option, dedicate adequate fire lanes either for general public use or as fire lanes only to be approved by the Fire Chief. Any person parking in or otherwise obstructing any duly marked fire lane so dedicated under this section shall be subject to the penalties as hereinafter set forth.
(G) All plans submitted under this section shall be referred to the Fire Chief for examination. The Fire Chief shall report to the Plan Commission indicating whether or not the proposal complies with this section. If the Fire Chief finds that the fire lanes in the proposal do not comply with the terms of this section, the Fire Chief will specify the changes necessary to make the proposal comply. Any applicant may request a conference with the Fire Chief concerning any matter under this section.
(H) In the event the Fire Chief determines that a situation lends itself to the establishment of a temporary fire lane for the protection and safety of the citizens of the community, the Fire Chief may, in his or her discretion, order that signs be placed identifying the temporary fire lane. The temporary fire lane shall be at least 20 feet in width. Unless renewed by the Fire Chief, temporary fire lanes shall not be in place longer than a period exceeding 21 days. Inaddition, § 94.041 shall apply to this division (H), as well as the penalty provisions associated therewith.
(1980 Code, § 94.040) (Ord. 2016, passed 1-23-2001; Am. Ord. 2003-11, passed 6-10-2003; Am. Ord. 2006-26, passed 9-5-2006; Am. Ord. 2013-6, passed 3-12-2013) Penalty, see § 94.999